Three bodyguards of National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, have been charged with five counts of robbery and assaulting female journalists.
The suspects; Achilleo Kivumbi, Grace Wakabi alias Smart-wa Bobi, and Gadafi Mugumya were arraigned before Masaka grade one magistrate Abudallah Kayiira on Wednesday and remanded to prison until March 13.
The trio was arrested last week in different parts of Kampala before being transferred to Masaka Central police station on Tuesday. Court heard that they, along with others still at large, committed the alleged crimes in May last year during the burial of UK-based businessman Pascal Ssekasamba at Manja village in Kisekka sub-county, Lwengo district.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly assaulted and damaged a video camera belonging to Zainabu Namusaazi, a journalist with Next Media Group, and smashed a smartphone belonging to Margret Kayondo, a correspondent with Radio Simba.
They also face charges of stealing two additional smartphones, robbing Shs 200,000 in cash, and causing grievous bodily harm to three other people who were injured in a scuffle that erupted at the burial.
Senior state attorney Michael Wakosesa told the court that the accused were found in possession of sharp bayonets, which they allegedly used against the victims, thus qualifying the case for aggravated robbery charges. He requested the court to remand the suspects while investigations continue and efforts are made to arrest their alleged accomplices still on the run.
The accused, represented by NUP lawyers Samuel Muyizzi and Magellan Kazibwe, were not allowed to take plea after the magistrate ruled that the lower court lacks jurisdiction to hear a case of aggravated robbery.
Muyizzi strongly objected to the charges, accusing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of fabricating the case to politically target NUP members. He said the charges of aggravated robbery lack substantial evidence and appear to be politically motivated.
The case stems from a heated altercation during the burial ceremony, where Kimanya-Kabonera MP Abed Bwanika openly criticized Kyagulanyi for allegedly orchestrating attacks against NUP members who challenge his leadership.
Witnesses reported that Kivumbi instructed his colleagues to seize a microphone from Bwanika, sparking a scuffle that drew the attention of journalists. In her police statement, Namusaazi claimed that the bodyguards ordered her to stop filming the incident. When she refused, they allegedly assaulted her and destroyed her equipment.
